Serjeant F.E. Pester D.C.M.

Operations in Burma, February - May 1943

This N.C.O. was Platoon Serjeant of the Sabotage Squad of his Column. He turned to good use his experience in previous campaigns and led with a sure hand the younger soldiers in his squad. On 6th March 1943, he was in technical charge of the blocking of the BONCHAUNG GORGE. Working in the darkness without the assistance of moonlight, on a railway which had already been attacked at many points that day, and in close proximity to an enemy who had already been thoroughly roused, he brought down hundreds of tons of soil and rock on to the line, completely blocking it.

On 28th March 1943, he played a leading part in clearing HINTHA village at its western end and eliminating at least two machine-gun posts at close quarters. He was engaged in hand to hand fighting for two periods of at least five minutes. He set a fine example of utter fearlessness in danger, and an example no less valuable and more rare of complete cheerfulness in adversity over a long period of hardship and privation.